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CPU's Caleb Fuessley driven for successful senior wrestling season

Win over unbeaten top seed gives Fuessley 120-pound title at North Linn

By Mike Condon, correspondent

TROY MILLS — Good luck trying to slow down Center Point-Urbana’s Caleb Fuessley, either on or off the wrestling mat.

The Stormin’ Pointer senior finished a disappointing sixth at last year’s Class 2A state wrestling meet. This year, it has been nothing but full speed ahead for the 120-pounder.

“He is just so focused this year,” CPU Coach Matt Grennan said. “He didn’t have the state tournament he wanted last year and now he wants to go prove what he can do.”

That focus was obvious here Saturday as he captured the 120-pound title at the North Linn Invitational, winning the final with an impressive 15-0 technical fall in 3:09 over previously undefeated and top-seed Isaac Cretsinger of Dubuque Senior.

Fuessley’s title was one of three for CPU as Grennan’s team finished second in the team race. North Fayette Valley took top honors with 160 points, followed by the Stormin’ Pointers (147.5) and Dyersville Beckman (113.5)

So how did Fuessley, now 11-0 this season, celebrate his win? He ran several sprints up and down the halls at North Linn High School, slowing down just long enough to talk about his focus — which was so sharp he wasn’t even aware of where he was seeded in Saturday’s tournament.

“I didn’t even know I wasn’t the No. 1 seed,” Fuessley said. “I didn’t know he was undefeated either. I just go out and wrestle my own stuff, high pace, high intensity. I just have to keep working to be on top.”

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To be the best this year at 120, Fuessley would have to unseat a two-time state champion in Albia’s Aden Reeves, who will wrestle next year at Iowa State.

Grennan knows there is a long way to go before Fuessley would have to worry about any kind of match with Reeves at state.

“He just can’t overlook anybody right now,” the CPU coach said. “He just has to keep wrestling hard and getting better every day. He’ll just have to take them as they come.”

Fuessley knows he must maintain the same mindset throughout the season.

“I’m going after everybody this season,” he said. “I’m not going to take a back seat to anybody.

“I’d like to tech fall guys in the first period,” Fuessley continued. “I want to keep just going after kids. I know there is always room for improvement, but I’m always striving to be the best.”

By Mike Condon, correspondent

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